The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has officially closed the online application portal for the 2025 Junior Secondary School (JSS) internship programme after receiving a record-breaking 189,503 applications for only 24,000 advertised vacancies. The overwhelming response highlights not only the desperation among unemployed teachers but also the growing pressure on Kenya’s education system to absorb graduates into meaningful employment.
The internship programme has become one of the most sought-after opportunities for teachers, especially fresh graduates who have struggled to secure permanent and pensionable positions with TSC. With the rollout of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) requiring more teachers in Junior Secondary Schools, internships have provided temporary relief, but the demand continues to far exceed the available opportunities.
Why the Internship Programme Matters
The JSS internship programme was designed as a stopgap measure to address teacher shortages during the CBC transition. Intern teachers fill gaps in classrooms, especially in subjects requiring specialization such as sciences, languages, and technical areas.
For many teachers, this programme is more than just a short-term job. It provides:
- A stepping stone to eventual permanent employment with TSC
- Hands-on classroom experience in JSS under the CBC framework
- A way to demonstrate professional competence before full recruitment
- An opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the development of learners at a critical stage
Past experiences show that teachers who take part in internships often gain an advantage in future TSC recruitments, especially because they already understand the CBC teaching model.
Application Statistics: 189,503 vs 24,000
According to TSC data, the just-closed portal recorded 189,503 applicants nationwide for the 24,000 internship positions. This translates to one position for every eight applicants. While 24,000 teachers will be lucky to secure placement, more than 165,000 applicants will remain unemployed.
This mismatch paints a worrying picture of teacher unemployment in Kenya. Each year, universities and teacher training colleges graduate thousands of new teachers, yet government recruitment budgets remain limited. The oversupply of graduates and the slow pace of recruitment have created an employment crisis in the profession.
The same challenge was noted during past exercises such as the 2025 TSC recruitment guidelines, which showed how stiff competition has become in the job market.
Who Qualified to Apply?
The 2025 internship vacancies were open to teachers who met the following criteria:
- Must be Kenyan citizens
- Must be registered with TSC
- Should not have been employed by TSC on permanent and pensionable terms before
- Willing to serve under a one-year internship contract with a modest stipend
Preference was given to young, unemployed teachers to give them a chance to start their professional journey, especially those who had completed studies within the last five years.
Stipend and Terms of Service
Successful applicants will serve under one-year internship contracts renewable only if TSC deems it necessary. Stipends are modest, reflecting the temporary nature of the programme.
- Ksh 20,000 monthly stipend for secondary school interns
- Ksh 15,000 monthly stipend for primary school interns
Unlike permanent teachers, interns will not enjoy benefits such as pensions, house allowances, or medical cover. This has been a major point of contention, with many teachers and unions criticizing the programme as “cheap labour.”
Selection and Shortlisting Process
Now that applications are closed, TSC will move into the shortlisting and verification phase. The process involves:
- Shortlisting applicants based on qualifications and subject areas
- Calling candidates for document verification at county and sub-county offices
- Matching successful interns to schools depending on vacancies and shortages
- Issuing official appointment letters ahead of the reporting deadline
Teachers are urged to keep checking the official TSC website and county offices for updates. Transparency in this process will be key to avoid allegations of favoritism or corruption, which have marred past recruitment drives.
Teacher Unemployment Crisis in Kenya
The high number of applications compared to vacancies has once again drawn attention to Kenya’s teacher unemployment crisis. Despite the CBC creating new opportunities, the government has not allocated enough funds to recruit teachers on permanent terms.
Both KNUT and KUPPET have raised concerns, urging the state to increase TSC’s budget. They argue that relying too heavily on internships devalues the teaching profession. Unless long-term solutions are implemented, thousands of qualified teachers may remain unemployed for years, similar to concerns highlighted in KNEC’s fight against exam irregularities, where systemic inefficiencies affect overall education outcomes.
What Next for Unsuccessful Applicants?
With over 165,000 applicants missing out, many teachers are left wondering what to do next. Options include:
- Waiting for the next cycle of TSC recruitment in 2026
- Seeking teaching jobs in private schools and international institutions
- Exploring online platforms for income as highlighted in our article on the best online platforms for teachers’ income in 2025
- Upskilling through short courses or postgraduate studies while waiting
Some teachers are also turning to digital tools to improve their efficiency and diversify income sources, including the top 5 AI tools for Kenyan teachers.
Reactions from Teachers
The closure of the internship application portal has sparked mixed reactions. While some applicants are grateful for the opportunity to gain classroom experience, others feel disillusioned. Many cited the low stipend as insufficient given the workload of JSS teachers under CBC.
A number of teachers have also raised concerns about fairness in shortlisting. Past experiences, such as the TSC JSS intern score sheet, show how merit-based systems can sometimes be overshadowed by human influence. TSC has promised full transparency this time.
Key Exam Dates for 2025
As teachers await the outcome of the internship process, attention is also shifting to national exams. The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has released the following timetable highlights for 2025:
| Exam | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|
| KPSEA | 24th October 2025 | 29th October 2025 |
| KJSEA | 3rd November 2025 | 6th November 2025 |
| KCSE | 17th November 2025 | 21st November 2025 |
Teachers in both primary and secondary schools will be expected to supervise and mark these exams, adding to their already demanding workload. The overlap between internships, teaching, and exam duties has been cited as an area requiring better planning by TSC and KNEC.
Conclusion
The closure of the JSS internship portal after 189,503 applications for just 24,000 slots underscores the challenges facing Kenya’s teaching profession. While internships provide short-term relief for some, they also highlight deeper issues of teacher unemployment, limited recruitment budgets, and questions about long-term planning.
For the thousands of teachers left out, resilience and innovation will be crucial. From exploring private teaching opportunities to embracing online income sources, survival in this tough job market requires flexibility. The government, meanwhile, must take bold steps to ensure that the teaching profession remains attractive and sustainable in the future.
